car

EarthTalk Q&A

Week of 1/4/2009

Dear EarthTalk: With all the talk of rising seas, what could happen to the rivers that flow into the oceans? Will they reverse flow? Will rising seas back up into fresh water lakes? And what happens to our groundwater should saltwater flow backwards into it?

Dear EarthTalk: Is it better to drive an older, well-maintained car that gets about 25 miles per gallon, or to buy a new car that gets about 35 miles per gallon?

Here Come the Cleaner, Greener Cars

Cover Story

Here Come the Cleaner, Greener Cars

Interest in cleaner and greener auto technology is exploding. From fuel cells to plug-in hybrids, the industry is showing more research and development zeal than at any time since the halcyon days of 1900, when gasoline, steam and electric vehicles (EVs) were competing in the marketplace.

Here Come the Hybrids

Features

Here Come the Hybrids

Not all hybrids are created equal. They range fro the very clean, very green Toyota Prius to the big, luxurious and only mildly fuel efficient Lexus RX-400h. Here’s a guide.

The Service Economy Car Sharing is the New Consumer Model

Currents

The Service Economy Car Sharing is the New Consumer Model

The rapid growth of “car sharing” companies—five have sprouted up in the U.S. since 2000—do more than fill a growing niche market. Car sharing also reflects a green business trend called “product service systems” (PSS), otherwise known by its more ungainly iteration, “servicizing.” Morph a product into a service, so the logic goes, and you reduce the ecological footprint of the product itself.

New Car Smell: It’s Not So Sweet

Commentary

New Car Smell: It’s Not So Sweet

New cars are great, aren’t they? On top of looking all shiny and perfect, they also just smell new. It’s a unique odor, isn’t it? And it goes away after a few weeks, never to appear again. But it’s great while it lasts. Or is it?

1 2 3